Lindsay teen wins prestigious scholarship

Lindsay teen wins prestigious scholarship

Catherine Whitnall

Lindsay Collegiate and Vocational Institute student, Hana Ready, is still trying to decide which program she will spend her $36,000 Queen's University Chancellor's Scholarship on; a degree in engineering or commerce. This is the second year in a row that an LCVI student has won the prestigious scholarship.

(LINDSAY) Hana Ready may be unsure of her major, but she knows her tuition will be partly, if not totally, covered.

The LCVI student recently learned she was the recipient of a Queen's University Chancellor's Scholarship worth $36,000. It is the second consecutive year that an LCVI student has been awarded the scholarship. Jackie van Warmerdam was last year's recipient.

To be considered for the scholarship, students are nominated by their schools. The number of nominees is based on graduation numbers; LCVI has fewer than 250 this year so only had one nomination opportunity.

Hana decided to move forward and apply for the scholarship after gaining early acceptance to Queen's University.

Although the Grade 12 student had thought about applying to other universities, her initial sights were set on the Kingston university.

"I've had an interest in Queen's my whole life. My mom and dad [Linda and Eric] went there and most of my relatives either teach or attended there," explained Hana, 17. "I'm so familiar with that campus. I won't have a problem adjusting."

To qualify for the scholarship, nominees must meet specific criteria that include holding grades of 90 per cent or higher, possessing creative and original thinking and showing proven leadership qualities and community involvement. Since last fall, Hana has served as the Trillium Lakelands District School Board's student trustee, is the president of LCVI's athletic's union, and is a member of both her school's student advisory council and the board's G7 Student Senate (formerly the Group of Seven). She also volunteers at Ross Memorial Hospital, first in continuing care and rehabilitation departments then at the information desk.

While Hana knows she will have at least $9,000 in annual financial support over four years, courtesy of the scholarship, she's still trying to decide her future.

"I like every single subject I've taken in school," said Hana, noting it's what initially led her to look at a variety of post-secondary majors; engineering, science and commerce. "But math is my favourite, which is a common thread between all three."

She's at least narrowed it down to two - commerce and engineering - and hopes to choose one in the near future.

Hana also loves to travel and would love to take advantage of the opportunities offered at Queen's to study abroad.